The St. Louis Cardinals began the retooling of their starting rotation Monday by agreeing to a one-year deal with Lance Lynn that brings the right-hander back to the club that drafted him, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press.
The person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical, said the 36-year-old is guaranteed $11 million. Lynn will make $10 million for the upcoming season. The deal includes a club option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout.
The last time Lynn was on the mound, he gave up four homers in a single inning to the Diamondbacks in the divisional round of the playoffs. Arizona went on to win 4-2 and clinch a three-game sweep that sent them to the NL Championship Series.
The Dodgers declined his $18 million option earlier this month.
His performance in the NLDS was a microcosm of a disappointing year for Lynn, who had been traded from the White Sox at the deadline but couldn't find his footing in Los Angeles. He allowed 44 homers between the two clubs, the sixth-most in a season in MLB history, not including the home runs that he allowed in the playoffs.
Lynn finished the season 13-11 with a 5.73 ERA, the worst by nearly a full run of his big league career.
The relatively low-risk deal makes sense for the Cardinals, though. They are familiar with Lynn after picking him 39th overall in the 2008 draft, shepherding him to the majors three years later 鈥� he got a World Series ring in 2011 鈥� and watching him land in the All-Star Game while winning 72 games over six seasons in St. Louis.
Nola's new deal includes bonus if traded
PHILADELPHIA 鈥� Aaron Nola wanted to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been a Phillie. It鈥檚 the only place we kind of had our eyes set on,鈥� Nola said Monday at Citizens Bank Park, a day after agreeing to a $172 million, seven-year contract. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the most comfortable place for me.鈥�
Nola became the first top-level free agent to reach a deal. The 30-year-old right-hander was drafted seventh overall by Philadelphia in 2014 and has been one of the most durable pitchers since his 2015 big league debut.
Nola went 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA in 32 starts with Philadelphia this year, finishing with 202 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, then went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four postseason starts.
He would get a $1 million assignment bonus if traded in 2024 or 2025. During the 2025 season, Nola will become a 10-year veteran who has spent five years with his team and will have the right to block trades without his consent.
BRIEFLY
TIGERS: Spencer Turnbull's option to the minor leagues by the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 23 was reversed because of a foot injury, giving the pitcher an additional 3 1/2 weeks of major league service.